Welcome to the Tech & Telecom Weekly, an e-newsletter keeping you apprised of the latest developments in the telecommunications and high-tech industries.
FCC Policy
The next FCC Open Meeting is scheduled for May 20, 2021, at 10:30am ET. The agency will consider the six items previously noticed, which include an order regarding Inmate Calling Services and an FNPRM regarding the STIR/SHAKEN framework for combatting robocalls. The meeting will be live-streamed here. For more information, please contact Stephanie Joyce.
Compliance Alerts
The Wireline Competition Bureau has announced that the Secure Telephone Identity Governance Authority (STI-GA) updated its Service Provider Code (SPC) Token Access Policy. This update allows entities that do not have direct access to numbering resources to immediately pursue the certificate to participate in STIR/SHAKEN Caller ID authentication, provided that the entity has filed in the FCC’s Robocall Mitigation Database. (DA 21-349, WC Docket Nos. 13-97 and 17-97)
On May 26, 2021, at 2:00pm ET, the Universal Service Administrative Company will hold a webinar for E-rate recipients during which it will describe Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) Review.
For more information about STIR/SHAKEN and USAC, please contact Katherine Barker Marshall.
Legislative Affairs
The Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security will hold an in-person hearing titled “Protecting Kids Online: Internet Privacy and Manipulative Marketing” tomorrow, May 18, 2021, at 10:00am ET. Scheduled witnesses include Angela Campbell of the Institute for Public Representation and Serge Egelman, a Research Director in the International Computer Science Institute of University of California Berkeley. The hearing will be live-streamed here. For more information, please contact Stephanie Joyce.
Tribal Nations
The FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has granted 40 more licenses in the 2.5 GHz band in order to connect Tribal communities to 5G and other advanced services. That brings to 259 the total number of such licenses, which afford exclusive use of 117.5 MHz in the 2.5 GHz band. Of the new licenses, FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel stated that, “Wireless spectrum in the hands of the unserved and underserved is a powerful tool,” particularly for Tribal communities, and that she is “committed to continuing our efforts to make that happen, consistent with our federal trust relationship.” The Bureau has issued a list of the new licensees by state and by applicant name. For more information, please contact Stephanie Joyce.
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